The Upscale programme for 2026 is designed to support the UK's most ambitious Series A startups as they prepare to scale or raise their Series B funding. This fully funded initiative connects founders and their C-suite teams with a network of peers, expert-led sessions, tailored investor matchmaking, and valuable capital relationships. Participants gain access to a nationally recognised cohort and receive lifetime membership to a community of founders, VCs, and policymakers, all aimed at fostering significant growth.
Program Highlights
• 1:1 Investor Matchmaking: Get matched with top growth-stage investors based on your sector and strategic fit, designed to kickstart your fundraising for Series B and beyond.
• Support as You Scale: Learn from those who have scaled successfully on topics ranging from board management and building leadership teams to planning an exit.
• C-Suite Involvement: Tailored sessions for the entire C-suite, including CFOs and CMOs, offer strategic insights and peer learning that extend beyond the founder’s journey.
• Lifetime Community & Network: Gain ongoing access to the Founders Forum global network of leading entrepreneurs, investors, corporates, media, and policymakers long after the programme concludes.
Eligibility Criteria
• Company Stage: The programme is for the fastest-growing companies in the UK, typically at the Series A stage.
• Funding and Revenue: Applicants must have either raised a £5m+ Series A or be generating £1m+ in revenue. On average, participating companies have raised £7m+ in a Series A and generate £3m+ in ARR.
• Location: Companies must be headquartered in the UK. It is recommended that no more than 40% of the workforce is based outside the UK due to the importance of in-person attendance.
• Business Model: Applicants must be technology businesses with a product or service. Eligible companies provide a digital technical service/product or a product/service reliant on digital technology as their primary revenue source. Consultancies are not eligible.
• Sector: The programme is sector-agnostic, welcoming digital companies from all sectors, including fintech, e-commerce, proptech, spacetech, agtech, edtech, health & biotech, and SaaS. It supports B2B, B2C, and B2B2C models.
• Company Status: Companies that have merged, been acquired, or undergone an IPO are ineligible.
Program Structure and Content
• Program Focus: Upscale prepares teams to scale effectively and raise their Series B funding and beyond.
• Core Themes: The curriculum covers key themes across People, Operations, Funding, and Finance, with actionable insights on topics like board management and building a world-class leadership team.
• Format: The programme features a mix of in-person and online workshops. In-person sessions, founder dinners, and investor drinks are held in London, typically in the afternoon to accommodate travel.
• Key Benefits: In addition to the workshops, participants receive 1:1 investor matchmaking with growth-stage VCs and national recognition as one of the UK’s top scaling companies.
• Fundraising Status: Companies do not need to be actively raising their Series B to benefit from the programme, as about half of the sessions focus on broader scaling themes valuable at any stage post-Series A.
Application and Timeline
• Applications Open: 2nd July
• Applications Close: 23rd August
• Programme Starts: September 2026
• Programme Ends: December 2026
• Cost: The programme is free to join, and no equity is taken.
• Re-application: Companies that were previously unsuccessful but now meet the criteria are welcome to reapply.
Upscale 2026 Event Speakers
• Martin W. Korman, Corporate Partner, Wilson Sonsini
• Tatiana Okhotina, CFO, Token.io
• Brent Hoberman CBE, Co-Founder, lastminute.com
• Husayn Kassai, CEO & Founder, Quench.ai & Onfido
• Julien Lavigne du Cadet, CPTO, Lottie
• Gaby Blume, VP of People & Operations, Lindus Health
• Richard Davies, CEO, Allica Bank
This initiative offers a distinct opportunity for the UK's leading scaleups to access a powerful support system. Through expert guidance, peer collaboration, and strategic connections, the Upscale programme provides the necessary tools and network to navigate the challenges of growth and prepare for the next stage of the corporate journey.